Verizon completes Alltel purchase

Verizon Wireless has completed its $28.1 billion acquisition of regional wireless carrier Alltel. The deal now makes Verizon the largest wireless carrier in the United States, with more than 83.7 million customers. AT&T, which had held that title, had 74.9 million wireless customers as of September 30. Most of Verizon's new customers are in the Midwest and South, where Alltel operates. Verizon and Alltel both use the cellular technology CDMA. And both companies have built 3G wireless networks using a technology called EV-DO. But it will take months before the companies can integrate their network operations and billing systems. This means that during the transition, Verizon customers will not be able to receive service at Alltel stores, and vice versa. Alltel customers are also not yet a part of Verizon's in-calling plans. But once the integration is complete, that will change.